Municipal signal apparatus



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. 0. WILSON. MUNICIPAL SIGNAL APPARATUS. No. 344,467. Patented June 29, 1886.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. 0. WILSON. MUNICIPAL SIGNAL APPARATUS.

No. 344,467. Patented June 29, 1886.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. 0. WILSON.

MUNICIPAL SIGNAL APPARATUS. No. 344,467. Patented June 29,1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @EETQE.

JOHN C. \VILSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MUNICIPAL SIGNAL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lette1s Patent No. 344,467, dated Jinn-e 29, 1886.

Application filed April 20, 1885. Serial No. 162,779.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN C. XVILSON, of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Municipal Signal Apparatus, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention relates to a municipal telegraph or signaling apparatus of the kind shown in Letters Patent No. 288, 536, November 13,1884, and application No. 118,981, filed by me January 28, 1884. In the said patent and application apparatus is shown and described comprising instruments at the headquarters or police stationhouses and signal boxes or substations in the street, the said instruments at the main and sub stations including multiple signaling devices, by which any desired one of a series of definite signals can be sent in eitherdirection, the multiplesignal transmitter at the main station being controlled by the operator at the said main station as to the character of the signal to be transmitted by it, but being called into operation by the person who is to receive the signal at the sub-station. The signal-boxes at the sub-stations each, when operated, transmits a signal, usually a number, characterizing the said box or station, and thus indicat ing the locality at which a citizen is in need of police assistance, or where the want, indicated by a special signal, is to be supplied. The multiple-signal device by which the special-want signal is transmitted is inelosed within the box and inacessible, except to a policeman or other speeiallyauthorized person provided with a suitable key for opening the box, which is also provided with means for operating it without opening the door, in which case only the number or box signal can be transmitted, it being intended that such signal may be transmitted by citizens who re quire police aid of any kind. One of the signals to be sent by the policeman is merely to indicate his presence at the box, and thus show that he is properly attending to his duty and will be called, for distinction, t'ie patiol or "on-duty signal; and the presentinvention consists partly in a novel arrangement of the circuits and appliances, whereby the patrol- (No model.)

signal is received at the main station upon separate instruments from those which receive the citizens calls or the special want signals, that require immediate attention from the main office. The multiplesignal device is controlled by a pointer, in connection with a dial,upon which the different signals are indicated, the placing of the pointer opposite one of the said signals on the dial setting the apparatus in proper condition to transmit the corresponding signal, and the closing of the box-door automatically restores the said multipletransmitting apparatus to its normal condition, so that only the citizens call or box-number can be transmitted when the boxdoor is closed. In the present invention appliances are provided by which, when the door is opened by the policeman without mov- 7:: ing the pointer, the box or transmitting apparatus is automatically placed in condition to transmit the patrol-signal, which, as before stated, is received upon a different instrument from the other signals, current changes of dif- 7 ferent character being employed from those by which the other signals or want-calls are transmitted. As shown, in this instance the citizens andspecial signals are transmitted by total interruptionsin the current, while the patrol signals are transmitted by alternately weakening and strengthening the cur. rent without totally interrupting the same, and a weakening of the current also operates to set the transmitter at the main station in operation, so that whatever signal it has been previously set for by the operator at the main station is transmitted to the sub stations.

In order to enable the signals to be transmitted from the substations by weakening of the current,and also to enable the operator at the sub-station to weaken the current for the purpose of causing the signal to be transmitted from the main station, each box is provided with resistance of sufiicient amount to pro- 5 duce the desired weakening of the current when the said resistance is in the circuit, and when the pointer of the box is in its normal position, (which is the position for the patrolsignal,) and the box-door is opened, this re- 10o sistance will be included in the circuit during the transmission of the signal by the breakwheel, which will operate to intermittingly shunt or out out the said resistance and thus embodying this invention, being shown with.

the door open,and with the pointerin its normal position, so that the patrol-signal will be transmitted if the box is operated without further change. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the signal transmitting and receiving apparatus contained in the box; Figs. 3 and 4, a plan View and front elevation, respectively, of the multiple-signal-transmitting device oft-he box, the front parts of the frame-work being removed in Fig. 4; and Fig. 5, a diagram show-.

ing the circuit and arrangement of the instruments therein at the main and sub stat-ions; Fig. 6, a detail to be referred to.

The box A (see Fig. 1 is of suitable size and shape to contain the signal transmitting and receiving apparatus O,and the telephonereceiver T, and transmitter T, and the local battery B for the latter, the said box having a door, D, .provided with a suitable look, so that when closed it can only be opened by an authorized person provided with a suitable key, it being intended that the policemen shall have such keys, and that they shall open each box and operate'the same at definite times while on duty.

The signal-transmitting apparatus 0 (bestshown in Figs. 2, 3, 4) consists, essentially, of a motor, a, which, when actuated by its spring or actuator a, when properly wound by the pull or box-operating device, operates a break-wheel, b, which, in connection with its co-operatin'g spring 1/, (see Fig. 5,) will operate to produce a series of interruptions in the current in the usual manner, the said break-wheels being different at each box in the circuit, and each being adapted to transmit a signal characterizing the box or station in the manner of the well-known fire-alarmtelegraph apparatus. The signal-transmitting apparatus 0 also includes a multiple-signal device operated by the same motor, a, in conjunction with the said break-wheel b, to send any desired one of a series of special signals in connection with the number or box signal of the wheel I), to thus indicate a want or the May 5, 1884, consisting of a series of breakwheels, a, mounted on the same shaft with the break-wheel 12,, and moving simultaneously therewith. and a series of co-operating springs, c, normally disengaged from the surface of the corresponding wheels, but adapted to be pressed into engagement each with its corresponding break-wheel by projections, d, of a shaft or cylinder, d, provided with a pointer, d", (see Fig. 1,) cooperating with a dial having indicated on it the various different signals that are to be transmitted, said cylinder (1 constituting aflsignal selecting device, the movement of the pointer d to any of thesaid signals on the dial bringing a corresponding one of the projections d (which are distributed around the shaft (1 to correspond with the different signals of the dial) into position to press thecorresponding spring against one of the break-wheels c, which will produce a signal that will be understood at the main office as meaning the same as that indicated on the dial by the pointer, the signal usually con sisting of a combination of long andshort interruptions in the current-such, for instance, as employed in the Morse alphabet. A starwheel, d", in connection with a suitable springdog, arrests and holds the shaft (1 in correct angular position for each signal. The pointer d is automatically placed by the closing of the door in a definite position, which may be done, as shown in Fig. 1, bya cam, d, on the said pointer, and aprojection, D, on the door, as described in the patent hereinbefore referred to. The box is also provided with a receiving-signal instrument, 8, (see Fig. 2,) consisting of a magnet with a polarized armature operating a bell-hammer, and thus signaling by taps upon a bell, the instrument being operated by reversals in polarity of the current produced by the signal-transmitter at the main station. The box also contains a conductor ofconsiderable resistance, (shown at R, Figs. 1 and 5,) preferably consisting of wire of high resistance wound around the local battery B, so that the heating effect of the current in the said conductor will be utilized to prevent the freezing of the battery B. When the apparatus is to be used in a warm climate, the resistance may be in a compact coil, as shown in dotted lines at B Fig. 2. The box is provided with a circuit-changing .device or switch, E, operated by a projection,

D on the door of the box, the said switch or circuit-changing device operating when the box-door is closed to shunt the magnet of the signal S and to open-circuitthe resistance B, so that the main circuit passes directly through the break-wheel and spring I) b, which operate to alternately break and close the said circuit in the usual manner. The motor a is provided with two pulls or operating devices for winding its spring a, so as to permit the said spring to actuate the motor to produce one turn in the break-wheel. One of the said box-operating devices consists of a slide, f, having a handle or finger-piece (see Fig. 1)

connected by a link, f, (see Fig. 2,) with an arm,f forked to embrace a rod, f, and to engage a projection, f, thereon, the said rod being connected with the winding-shaft. One end of the spring a is attached to the said shaft, which is connected with the main wheel of the motor by a ratchet and pawl, as com monly practiced in signal-boxes employed for fire-alarm and district signaling purposes. The rod f is also connected with an arm, f (see Fig. 2,) turning around a stud, f, and provided with a projection,f to be engaged by the bit of a key inserted through a keyhole, f (see Fig. 1,) which is accessible when the box-door is closed, it being intended that responsible citizens shall be provided with keys for entering the keyhole f and operating the box-motor. A dog or pawl, g, is provided to engage the bit of the key at'ter it has entered the key-hole and been turned therein, thus preventing the removal of the key, which is held until the arrival of the policeman, when it may be removed and retained to indicate the person operating the box in case it has been operated needlessly. The dog 9 is supported on a lever, 9, (see Fig. 6,) one arm of which is engaged by a projection, D, on the door, turning it on its pivot 5/, so as to retain the dog 9 in the path of the key, as described; but when the door is opened a spring, 9 turns the said lever sufficiently to withdraw the dog from the path of the key-bit, leaving the key free to be removed.

The circuit and operation will be best understood by referring to Fig. 5, which shows at the part marked Main Station the remain office, and at the part marked Sub- Station the apparatus of one of the boxes,

the mechanical construction of which has been already described. The main-line circuit L (shown in heavier lines than the branch and local circuits) includes at the main station the main battery B, the poles of which are eonnected with the line by a pole-changing instrument, P, of usual construction, by which the position of the said battery in the main line is reversed, the said pole-changer being of any well-known construction, and being operated by an electro-magnet, p, in a local circuit, L, containing a multiple signal-transmitting device, T, which may be of similar construction to the one previously described in connection with the box, including a shaft, 4., acted upon by a suitable motor, tending to rotate the same, and provided with a series of break-wheels, i, and corresponding springs, i normally disengaged from the break-wheels, but adapted to be pressed into engagement therewith, one at a time, by a shaft or drum, 1*, having projections which in their dil ferent angular positions act on the different springs i it being understood that the shaft i will be provided witha pointer co-operating with a dial, to indicate the different signals that will be transmitted in the different positions of the said pointer, The motor of the shaft 6 is adapted to turn the same for alarge number of revolutions, and the movement of the said shaft is controlled by a detent Ir, operated by an electro-magnet, 7c, in a local cir cuit, L controlled by thejoint action of two relays, R R in the main line L, the former of which relays will for distinction be called the weaker relay, having the stronger retractor, S, so that it releases its armature-lever upon a definite reduction in the strength of the current, while the latter relay, It", is not caused to release its armature upon such weakening of the current, but will release it upon the total interruption of the same. The local circuit L" of the detentmag net It includes the armature-lever and the front stop, 0 of the stronger relay, R and the armature-lever and back stop, 0, of the weaker relay, t, so that when the latter relay is open ated while the former is unaffected, as by the beforementioned weakening in the current, the local circuit-U will be closed at the back stop, 0', and the detent-magnet k energized, causing the release of the multiple-signaltransmitting devices T flwhich will then operate to transmit the signal for which ithas been previously set by the operator turning the shalt When, however, both relays R H are affected simultaneously by the total interruption ot' the current, the local circuit L is broken by the relay B", so that no effect is produced upon the detent-magnet by the re traction of the armature of the relay R, and the transmitter T' consequently is not set in operation by the total interruption of the current in the main-line circuit L. The local circuit L also contains a signal-receiving instrument or register, B", which will thus respond to reductions in the current-strength in the main line, but will not respond to total interrupions therein. The relay R controls a local circuit, L, in the usual manner, operating a receiving-instrument or register, It, which thus responds to total interruptions in the main-line current, but not to the reductions in eurrentstrength that el'iect the operation of the register it and transmitter T. Normally, when the boil-door is closed at the substation the main line circuit includes the spring I) and break-wheel b, by which the number or box signal is transmitted, and also includes the circuitcloser c, which, when the door is shut, is closed by the projection D, as shown in Fig. 5, thus shunting the magnet of the signal S, so that there is practically no resistance in the line at the boxes when they are closed. In this condition, when the motor a is operated by means of a key inserted in the keyhole], as previously described, the wheel 1), in revolving, will alternately break and close the circuit in the usual manner, producing movements of the'armature of the relay It, and thus producing signals which are recorded in the register it", while the other apparatus at the main station, included in the local circuit L", is not affected. The breakwheel 0 and spring. 0, constituting the multiplesignal apparatus of the box, are included in a branch circuit, m, around the break-wheel terminating in a spring, a, which herein constitutes a switch, the said switch being so located as to be engaged by the spring 0' of the multiple-signaling device, by which the patrol or on duty signal is transmitted, the said spring n being touched by the spring a when the pointer 61*, forming part of or rigidly con nected with the signal-selecting cylinder, (see Fig. 1,) is in its normal position. When the box-door is opened, the circuit-changing device E is moved, opening the circuit-closer e and closing the one The opening of the circuit-closer e throws the magnet of the signal S into circuit, and the resistance of the said magnet is very small compared to the resistance B, so that when the said magnet alone is in circuit the current is not sufficiently weakened to produce any appreciable effect on the relays therein. position-namely, with the box-door open and the circuit-closer e closed-there are two circuits from the point 2 to the point 3one over the main line, as before described, through the break-wheel b b and spring, without appreciable resistance, and the other through the branch m,which is again branched at the point of contact between the springs 11. and c, the branch m from the wheel a being without resistance, while the branch it contains the resistance R. With the parts in this position, when the operator sets the motor of the box in action by the pullf, (see Fig. 1,) the wheels b c (which it will be understood are on the same axis, although shown separately for convenienee in Fig. 5) will revolve simultaneouly, and the spring b will first pass off from the wheel b at the long notch b thcreon,while the spring 0 is still on the long raised portion a of the wheel 0. The current will not at this time be affected, as it will pass from the point 2 to the point 4 over the branch m, instead of over the mainline. As soon, however, as the raised portion 0 of the wheel 0 passes from beneath the spring 0', the branch m will be opened, and then when a notch of the wheel b passes beneath the spring b, both branches will be opened between the points 2 4, and the current will pass from the point 2 over the portion of the branch at connected with the spring a, thence to the spring a, and through the branch at, including the resistance It, thus causing the current to be weakened and the armature of the relay R to be retracted, clos- When the parts are in this ing the local circuit L at 0', and causing the register R to operate; and also causing the release of the transmitting device T at the main station. the wheel b between the notches touch the spring b, the resistance R will be short-circuited by the main line L and the current restored to its full strength, andthus each notch of the wheel b produces a weakening of the current affecting the register R just as when the box-door is closed it produces a total interruption in the current operating the registers R. The transmitter T operates through the pole-changer P to reverse the polarity of the current without opening the circuit, such reversals affecting the polarized signal S, but not affecting the relays R R so that the patrol signal may be received on the register R, at the same time that the signal is being transmitted outward to the operator at the box or sub-station. When the pointer d", operating the signalselecting cylinder, is moved from the normal position, for the purpose of sending any of the special-want signals indicated on the dial, Fig. l, the spring 0, that co-operates with the wheel 0 of the patrol-signal will be disengaged from the said wheel, and by the When the raised portions of 7c same movement will also be disengaged from g the spring or switch a, so that the resistance R will remain in open circuit and the signals will be transmitted by breaking and closing the circuit first between the particular spring 0' and wheel 0 that have been placed in contact by the movement of the shaft d, and then between the break-wheel b and spring b, the notched raised portions of the wheels 0 corresponding with the long notch b of the breakwheel b, so that the circuit is left wholly under control of the wheel 0, while the said portion of the wheel b having the long notch b is passing the spring b, the circuit then being completed through the branch m, and the surface of the wheel 0 is cut away in the part cor responding to the notched part of the wheel b. The circuit-breaker t, operated by a button, t, (see Fig. 1,) may beemployed to open the main circuit between the points 3 and 4, and thus throw the resistance B into circuit if the operator at the box desires to set thetransmitter at the main station in operation with- IIO out operating the box to transmit the patrol signal. The local circuit L will preferably contain an audible-signal instrument, so as to attract the attention of the attendant whenever the register R* is operated, receiving a citizens or special-want call. The local battery B will preferably have outside of the conductor R a jacket or covering that is a poor conductor of heat-such, for instance, as layers of felt. (Shown at F, Fig. 1.)

it can readily be seen that under this system any number of receiving-instruments may be easily looped into the circuit for this purpose.

I deem myself to be the first to employ a switch to co-operate with a transmitting-instrument and two or more receiving-instruments, substantially as herein described, to determine the transmission of the signal that it may be received on one or another receiving-instrument, and I have shown, as I prefer, the said switch as under the control of the signaling-selecting cylinder.

I have herein described an apparatus by which to transmit signals from a distant station, and to record the same, the method of operation, also descriloed being such that the more important signals, indicating wants, may not be confounded with the signals of minor importance, such as patrol or on-duty signals; but the said method is not herein claimed, as it has been made the subject-matter of another application, Serial No. 195,950.

Herein I have shown two independentlyactuated recorders, both of which are operative, and in the said application above referred to I have shown a recording device combined with an alarm, whereby the occurrence of a more important signal demanding immediate attention is accompanied by an alarm.

I claim- 1. In an electric circuit, a signal-transmitting apparatus having a switch co-operating therewith and under the control of the operator, combined with two or more message-receiving instruments connected with the same circuit and independent of each other, to receive the signals produced by the signal-transmitting apparatus, the position of the said switch determining which messagereceiving instrument shall receive the signal transmitted, substantially as described.

2. In an electric circuit, a signal-transmitting apparatus constructed and arranged, substantially as described, to transmit signals either by total interruptions in the current or by changes in the current-strength, combined with the switch a, and means, substantially as described, controlled by the operator to operate the said switch, the position of the latter determining by which way the signal should be transmitted, as set forth.

3. In an electric circuit, a signal-transmitting apparatus constructed and arranged, substantially as described, to transmit signals either by total interruptions in the current or by changes in the currcnt-strength, two message receiving instruments connected with said circuit and independent of each other, to independently respond to signals produced by the said transmitting apparatus by the different ways, combined with a controlling-switch, substantially as described, forming a co-operative part of the signal-transmitting apparatus, the position of the said switch determining by which way the signal shall be transmitted, as set forth.

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an electric circuit having a signal-transmitter and a switch under the control of the operator, cooperating therewith, at one station, two independent messagereceiving instruments at another station, each actuated by a distinct and different changein the said-circuit, which change is determined by the position of the said switch co-operating with the signal-transmitter, and a pole-changing transmitter, also at the last'named station and operating substantially as described, and a polarized receiving-instrument at the firstnamed station operated by the said pole-changing transmitter, all as set forth.

5. In a system for transmitting signals from a sub-station to a central office, a signal-transmitting apparatus, a dial, and eo-operating pointer, each located at the sub-station, two or more independent message receiving or recording instruments at the central station, connected in circuit with the signal-transmitting apparatus, the said signal-transmitting apparatus including as a cooperative part of it a switch controlled as to its position by the pointer, to determine at will which of the said message-receiving instruments shall operate, substantially as described.

6. In an electric-circuit, a signal-box containing signal -transn1itting apparatus, consisting of a series ofsignaling-surfaces, springs co-operat-ing therewith, and a signal-selecting cylinder in the main circuit, and a resistance in a branch circuit, combined with means, substantially as described, controlled by the signal-selecting cylinder, to introduce the resistance into the main circuit and remove it therefrom, all as set forth.

7. In a signal transmitting apparatus, a main electric-circuit, a break-wheel therein, a multiple-signal-transmitting device, substantially as described, in a branch circuit around the said break-wheel, and a resistance in a branch circuit around the multiple-signaling device, combined with a circuit-breaker located at the junction of said branch circuits and the main line, and operating substantially as described, to control the said branch circuits, as set forth.

8. A signal-box containing a break-wheel or equivalent in the main circuit, and a cooperating multiple-transmitting device, substantially as described, and a circuit-breaker in a branch circuit, said circuit-breaker being controlled by the door of the box or station, and operating when closed to cause a signal characteristic of the box or station, together with one of a series of auxiliary signals characteristic of the multiple-signal-transmitting device, to be transmitted, and operating when open to cause a signal characteristic of the box or station only to be transmitted, substantially as described.

9. An electric circuit containing automatic IIO signal-transmitting instruments, substantially as described, adapted to transmit signals by changes of current-strength and also by total interruptions thereof, and message-receiving instruments and their receiving electromagnets, adjusted to respond to the signals produced by the changes of current-strength, and

to those produced by total interruptions of the rent-strength, and to those produced by total interruptions of the said current, and one or more signal-receiving electro-magnets ad- 20 justed to respond only to signals produced by total interruptions of the current, combined with a battery-reversing instrument and polarized receiving-instruments in the same circuit, substantially as described.

11. In an electric circuit, two independent message-receiving instruments at one station, each actuated by a distinct and different change in the circuit, a signaLtransmitting apparatus constructed and arranged, substantially as de scribed, to transmit signals by two different and distinct changes in the circuit, and having a dial and co-operating pointer concealed by the door at another station, the said pointer being normally set to send a signal by one change in the circuitto be received upon one message-receiving instrument when the dial is concealed, but accessible when the dial is exposed, to be operated'to send a signal by another change in the circuit, to be received, respectively, upon either instrument at the will of the operator, all as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN 0. WILSON. Witnesses:

B. J. NoYEs, G. W. GREGORY. 

